ECB director of cricket Andrew Strauss has claimed that it is imperative that the England players keep their emotions in check when they get the first Ashes Test underway this morning in Cardiff.

Australia arrive on UK shores as favourites to retain the urn following their 5-0 triumph Down Under last year, but impressive performances against New Zealand have given England some hope.

"You'd be worried if you weren't ready come day one of The Ashes because there's always a lot of focus on how to prepare for that, how to get yourselves in the right frame of mind to take on that first ball," Strauss told Sky Sports News.

"I know that day one feels different as a player because there's such a build-up and you've got to be careful that you control your emotions effectively. After that, it does become a bit like another series.

"I think the pride that the players feel when representing their country in an Ashes series will stay with them forever and it's something that they can always say that 'I was there'."

The opening Test at the SWALEC Stadium will be head coach Trevor Bayliss's first game in charge of England.